Dallas Mavericks Blog

Swinging the paddle to benefit pancreatic cancer research

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle lost two close friends to pancreatic cancer in 2009, so when representatives of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network contacted him about taking part in a fund-raising event, he needed no convincing.

And this will not be your ordinary charity benefit.

Carlisle and Mary Jo Jennings of PanCan came up with the Purple PingPong celebrity and professional tournament. As pink is the color for breast-cancer awareness, purple serves the same purpose for pancreatic cancer.

Last May, Chuck Daly, who was one of Carlisle’s closest friends, died of pancreatic cancer. In September, Indiana Pacers’ co-owner Melvin Simon also succumbed to the disease.

“There’s a personal attachment I have to it,” Carlisle says. “So that’s a lot of what my involvement is. And I’m also a table-tennis enthusiast. I was interested in putting together an event that’s different and fun, but also helping to support the sport of table tennis. It’s an Olympic sport played by over 40 million people around the world.

“And pancreatic cancer is the most under-screened, but most aggressive form of cancer there is.”

The event will be March 14 at Moody Coliseum from 1-4 p.m. and all proceeds will benefit pancreatic cancer research. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. More information is available at pancan.com/pingpong.

Numerous Mavericks are scheduled to take part, including Dirk Nowitzki and J.J. Barea, rumored to be the best ping-pong players in the locker room, as well as Jason Terry, Jason Kidd, Caron Butler and others. Former Rangers Jim Kern and Jeff Russell will participate, as will Olympic gold-medal winning gymnast Nastia Luiken and her father, Valeri.

“In fact, Nastia called and asked if her friend, Carly Patterson, could take part, too,” Carlisle said. “I told her, ‘Yeah, and any other Olympic gold-medal winning friends you have are welcome, too.’ ”

There will be 16 celebrity teams, some of which are still up for sale as part of the charity endeavor.

Also, numerous local table-tennis professionals will take part in an invitational tournament.